The Queen and I: Elegant Helen Mirren comes face to face with Her Majesty

She swore on BBC Breakfast television last month, insists she's nothing like the monarch and recently played an ageing pole dancer on an American comedy show.

But Dame Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar in 2007 for playing the Queen, was on her best behaviour when she came face to face with Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace last night at a reception to celebrate young people in the performing arts.

The light-hearted actress chose an
elegant outfit for the occasion, favouring a pale grey ruched dress that
fell to just below the knee, a cardigan with lace panels at the elbows
and a cream coat with a silver strappy shoe.

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The Queen, who wore a bright blue embroidered dress and strings of pearls, seemed to be studying the woman who famously played her in The Queen.

At one point Her Majesty almost looked
as if she were stealing a sideways glance at the actress who had been
given a prestigious Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

The Queen and I: Dame Helen seemed on her best behaviour as she chatted with Her Majesty

Critically-acclaimed: Dame Helen won an Oscar for her role as The Queen

Dame Helen, 65, has a habit of being outspoken - last month she slipped up on morning television and swore in a most unladylike fashion when she was discussing John Gielgud's performance in the original Arthur film and said 's***'.

And when she hosted Saturday Night Live in April her chest was at the centre of one sketch on the long running U.S. comedy show, as SNL regulars all tried to grope her.

She announced to the audience that 'I'd like to say something for the record, although I played the Queen I am nothing like her.

'I may have been appointed Dame of the British Empire, but I am not all scones and teacups, I'm more biscuits and D-cups.'

However, Dame Helen seemed positively demure as she smiled and chatted with guests.

Despite fearing she would only get to
play the Queen in every comedy skit, the actress has only met the Queen
on one previous occasion.

In 2007 Dame Helen turned down an
invitation to have tea with the Queen because of filming commitments,
but met Her Highness at Ascot the following year.

The event was hosted by the Queen
and Duke of Edinburgh and included a specially commissioned theatre
performance in the Ballroom, inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet.

The Palace also organised university students to take part in a royalty-inspired flashmob outside the royal gates before the event.

Other
stars who met Her Majesty included actress Sheila Hancock, singer
Duffy, musician and television presenter Jools Holland and DJ Goldie who
all wore smart clothes for the occasion.

But one guest clearly felt comfortable enough to take a casual approach to dressing; Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis turned up in trainers.

Soul divas: Singers Duffy and VV Brown also attended the reception at the Palace